Princess Ball

The Hopekids put together a Princess Ball.  They sent out the coolest scroll-like invitations by email to all the princesses, had a fancy place for us to eat at with the cutest servers, a Cinderella coach for rides, balloon shapes, cupcakes and of course all the princesses were in attendance.  It was so much fun!  Kathleen went as Aurora, Josselyn as Snow White and Odette as Cinderella.  It was great to mingle with other families that have lived in the cancer world with us. 

 

 Odette drinking out of her fancy glass.  It didn't break and she drank most of it!

 A ride in Cinderella's coach.  Odette LOVED the horses!

I took over 50 pictures and had to just pick a few.  It was so much fun!  I am so lucky to have my princesses!

Dentist

Seriously, Odette is the best patient for ANY doctor visit!  I had forgotten that we had started having her get her teeth cleaned six months ago because we were concerned that she might have some serious dental issues given the chemo and the amount of puke that came in contact with her teeth.  

She was so cute at the dentist office.  She climbed right up on the chair, laid down and opened up her mouth.  She held perfectly still the entire time.  The only thing we couldn't do was the fluoride because she wanted to keep swallowing it.  Guess nothing tastes gross to her anymore!

Two years

Two years ago today, I was uncertain if I would ever see the day that Odette would be the girl in the above picture.  (Uncertain is a nice word, more like terrified half to death.)  Of course, when your child is diagnosed with cancer, there are so very many emotions going through you; fear, uncertainty, helplessness to name a few.  However, I quickly learned in the beginning that those feelings that I experienced in the first few hours needed to be replaced if I was going to survive the road map that was then placed in front of me.  Faith, hope, trust and courage were what I was going to need to make it.

The past week I have been thinking a lot about what has happened since two years ago.  I actually do this quite frequently; at least every time that I am to take Odette to the hospital for a check up.  It is amazing to me, how grateful I am to the Lord for blessing me with this experience.

Now, I know you are thinking, "Hello Stephanie, didn't you say all the time that cancer sucked?"  Yes, I did say this quite frequently and I still think that it does, but WOW what great and marvelous things have happened in my life because of this experience.

I know that Heavenly Father is indeed in charge of all the details of our lives.  And, he indeed works in mysterious ways.  (Odette having cancer I consider as mysterious.)  One just need put their faith and trust in Him and they will be in awe at how everything seems to "just work out".  I have had the opportunity to walk with the Lord through my difficulties over these two years.  And when I couldn't walk, I was carried.  Sometimes, what seems to be the very hardest, is actually the answer to a prayer that we have been praying for.  Indeed this is how I view Odette having had cancer.  I have been taught, made stronger and had many prayers answered all through her.  A miracle happened two years ago, that I will be forever grateful for.  I love you Odette!

Another month gone by

I can't believe that it has already been another month!

Usually I don't really want to take Odette up to PCMC.

However, I was very grateful that today was her day.

She hasn't been eating well lately.

Having random fevers.

Sleeping a lot.

Of course, and I really do try not to let my brain go here, you know what I am thinking.

So I was antsy to see what her counts were today.

I was so happy when I saw that they were all perfect and normal.

She didn't even have an ear infection.

Must just be some virus gong around.

So the only not so great news for the day was that Odette lost a pound.

We will be seeing the doctor the first week of August about this.

Otherwise, our next appointment with oncology will be her one year mark!

She is as cute as ever.

Ate her chips.

Told everyone about her black chicken.

Got to love Oliver, the dog.

And showered everyone with "blow kisses" today.

That is my Odette!

Suggestions?

Odette is coming up on one year of being cancer free. I really like the idea of doing something each year for the kids/family/hospital. Not exactly sure what. If any of you have some suggestions, please share! Thank you!!

Another Month

I can hardly believe that another month has gone by. Odette went in for her monthly check-up this week. It was pretty routine.

• We went in for the blood draw and this time, Odette told the phlebotomist, "Don't poke me!" as she put out her arm. This time she didn't say ouch, she just intently watched the needle, even though Mickey Mouse was on. When she jumped down from the chair, there was one big crocodile tear rolling down her cheek. However, she went straight for the prize box and this time picked a princess sticker and ball. Then, as is normal, she waved and said "Goodbye, see you later."
• Then in for the regular appointment. She came walking into the oncology office waving, saying "Hi" to everyone and blowing kisses, melting everyone's heart. She didn't want to get weighed and they bribed her with a sunflower bear. That did the trick.
• She got her treat and drank ALL the apple juice! (That is a first.)
  
• Her counts came back looking wonderful!
  
• The doctor said she needs to go and see the Endocrinologist because she just isn't growing and following the growth curve at all. (Her weight was 10.4 kg, which wasn't up by much.) There is a long waiting list and the first appointment they had was in August! They will be checking to see the age of her bones and checking hormone levels in her body.
• Odette gave her final hugs and blew kisses to her nurse friends while mom made her next month appointment and we were done. Until next month...

On the way home, she fell asleep and I couldn't help but think how absolutely wonderful and beautiful she is. I love my little angel Odette.

When there is silence in the house, I worry.
When clearing the dinner table off, Odette "disappeared".
The bowl she was clearing, the nacho cheese...

...was pretty empty when she was discovered.

How can she not gain weight eating stuff like that?!
Guess we will see on Tuesday what happened this last month with her weight.
Hopefully up it went!

Purple Tulips

I absolutely LOVE tulips.
Last fall, I decided I wanted to plant some purple tulips.
Why purple one may ask?
Because purple is a cancer survivor color.
(I know it also means a lot of other stuff.)
So I planted 100 tulip bulbs with the help of my awesome sister.
I had forgotten about this until spring and so many were coming up.
I could hardly wait for them to bloom.
They look beautiful!
However, I don't think that 100 is as magnificent as I thought it would be.
So, you know what I will be looking for this fall...
And this year, my cancer survivor will be helping to plant them!

And yes, I know my pictures are always sideways. On my computer picture program they aren't, so I guess you still get to turn your head sideways to view the pictures. :)

Grateful...

...for a very
HAPPY
HEALTHY
"TERRIBLE TWO"
LITTLE GIRL
NAMED ODETTE!
(Not to mention washable markers!)

You know you're craving chinese...

Join I Want a Bad Hair Day on Saturday April 30th at Panda Express in American Fork anytime between 11 am and 8 pm and support childhood cancer fighters. Print this flier out, and share extras with your neighbor, and bring it in to have 20% of your order donated to I Want a Bad Hair Day. Wear your Bad Hair Day t-shirt and get 10% off of your purchase! (You can buy a t-shirt there if you don't have one.) There will also be Kung Fu Panda there during the dinner hours. Come and get your picture taken! Thank you to Panda Express!